Compound hinge for connecting sewing machine head to sewing machine cabinet

ABSTRACT

A compound hinge for connecting a sewing machine head to a sewing machine cabinet having a top surface panel provided with a cutout opening suitable to receive a sewing machine head. The hinge is secured adjacent to the opening and includes a pair of pivotal elements which are adapted for selective engagement with sewing machine heads having different base sizes so that a single cabinet will accommodate different size sewing machine heads.

United States Patent Manfred Merz Montreal, Quebec, Canada; John A.Fitzwater, Oak Park, 111. 880,143

Nov. 26, 1969 Apr. 13, 197 1 Sears Roebuck and Co.

Chicago, 111.

Inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee COMPOUND HINGE FORCONNECTING SEWING MACHINE HEAD TO SEWING MACHINE CABINET 6 Claims, 8Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 312/21,

16/29, 312/30 Int. Cl A47b 81/00 Field of Search 312/21, 30;

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,078,132 2/1963 Stanton etal Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay

' Assistant ExaminerJames C. Mitchell Att0rneys-Nathan N. Kraus andJoseph R. Marcus ABSTRACT: A compound hinge for connecting a sewingmachine head to a sewing machine cabinet having a top surface panelprovided with a cutout opening suitable to receive a sewing machinehead. The hinge is secured adjacent to the opening and includes a pairof pivotal elements which are adapted for selective engagement withsewing machine heads having different base sizes so that a singlecabinet will accommodate different size sewing machine heads.

PATENTEb APR 1 31971 SHEET 1 BF 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a compound hinge device for connecting a sewingmachine head to a sewing machine cabinet. More particularly, thisinvention relates to a compound hinge intended to be used in pairs andeach having a pair of pivotal elements, adapted to be selectivelysecured to a sewing machine head to pivotally support said head. Byselectively utilizing corresponding elements of a pair of hinges,different sizes of sewing machine heads may be individually accommodatedin a single cabinet. Thus, approximately 90 percent of the sewingmachines presently on the market may be individually installed in acabinet utilizing the hinges in accordance with our invention.

In a conventional household sewing machine, the sewing machine cabinethas a planar surface which has an opening to receive the sewing machinehead so that the sewing machine head will be out of sight during periodsof nonuse of the machine and when the sewing machine cabinet is used asa desk or work table or as a decorative piece of furniture. It isapparent that the sewing machine cabinet can be chosen and often ischosen by the consumer to fit into various interior settings in theconsumers home so that it becomes desirable for the consumer to try tokeep the cabinet purchased with the original machine so that additionalexpense can be avoided when the comurner desires to purchase a differentsewing machine for any one of a number of reasons. It is also apparentthat different makes of sewing machines and different models ofsewingmachines are not of the same base size. Therefore, when the consumerdecides to replace his present machine with a new or later modelmachine, he now finds that he must also replace the sewing machinecabinet at the same time. We have determined that at the present timethere is no compound hinge or other device available that will allow theconsumer to interchangeably accommodate different size sewing machineheads in a single cabinet.

According to present practices, vendors of sewing machines are requiredto provide a cabinet having an opening of a particular size cutout inthe top panel of the cabinet to accommodate a particular size of machinehead. The machine heads and cabinets generally are purchased fromdifferent sources of supply subject to different manufacturing schedulesand the heads are installed in the cabinets just prior to delivery tothe ultimate customer. Accordingly, at least two different sizes ofcabinets must be stocked by a vendor in order to meet customers needsand thus a large stock of cabinets must be maintained since it cannot beexactly predicted in advance just which size of machine head will besold.

The use of a compound hinge in accordance with our invention permits theutilization of a single cabinet arranged to accommodate at least twodifferent sizes of machine heads with the result that a substantiallysmaller number of cabinets need be stocked in inventory.

We have found a novel compound hinge device for connecting differentsize sewing machine heads to a single sewing machine cabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this inventionto provide compound hinge devices for connecting a sewing machine headto a sewing machine cabinet.

It is a further object of our invention to provide compound hingesincluding two spaced pivotally supported hinge elements that support thesewing machine head, said elements being adapted for selective use withsewing machine heads having different base sizes so that a singlecabinet will accommodate one of a plurality of different heads.

Therefore, the present invention provides, in combination, a sewingmachine head, a cabinet having a top panel having an opening to receivesaid head, a pair of spaced compound said hinges including two spacedpivotally supported hinge elements, said elements being adapted forselective securement to said head, the spacing of said hinge elementsbeing such that selected two of said elements will engage and support ofone size of head and selected other two of said elements will engage andsupport another size of head whereby a single cabinet will accommodateone of a plurality of different sized sewing machine heads.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent fromthe following description when the same is considered in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is atop plan view of a sewing machine cabinet having a planar surface havingan opening to receive a large sewing machine head;

FIG. 2 is another top plan view of a sewing machine cabinet having aplanar surface having an opening to receive a smaller sewing head;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a sewing machine cabinetshowing a pair of compound hinges secured to the same adjacent thecabinet opening for connecting the sewing machine head to the sewingmachine cabinet;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale, showing a compound hingein accordance with a preferred embodiment of our invention;

FIG. 6 is a similar view of a modified embodiment of our invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the sewingmachine cabinet showing in solid lines the compound hinge devicepivotally supporting a sewing machine head in its operative positionabove the sewing machine cabinet and in broken lines the stored sewingmachine head within the opening in the cabinet; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the compoundhinge of our invention.

As set forth hereinabove, our invention is related to the type of sewingmachines mounted in cabinets having a top panel providedwith a cutoutopening. The machine head is pivotally supported by the panel and inoperative in-use position the base of the head substantially covers thecutout. For storage purposes, the head is adapted to be rockeddownwardly and passed through the cutout toassume a position in a spacebelow the plane of the panel.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates, generally, a sewingmachine cabinet having a top panel such as illustrated in FIGS. I, 2 and3. Sewing machine cabinet 10 has a cutout 11 in the top panel to receivesewing machine head 13 which includes a sewing machine head baseplate.

A compound hinge l4 and 15 comprising pivotal means 16 and "and 20 and21 are secured to cabinet 10 adjacent cutout II, as is shown in FIG. 3.The pivotal means include a plurality of pivotal members 18, 19, 22 and23 that may be engaged with the sewing machine head baseplate forpivotally supporting head 13. Pivotal members 18, I9, 22 and 23 areadapted for selective use with sewing machine heads having differentsize baseplates whereby a single cabinet will accommodate one of aplurality of different sewing machine heads.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 5 and 8, the compound hinge of ourinvention comprises a pair of spaced inverted channel portions 35 and36, the inner legs 37 and 38 of which are connected by an intermediateplate portion 39. The outer legs of said channel portions are providedwith integral flanges with said flanges and said plate portion beingcoplanar and being pierced to provide a plurality of screw holes 24a.The web of each channel portion is cut away as at 41, as illustratedclearly in FIG. 8 and the walls of the channel portions are pierced toreceive pins 16 and 17 which pivotally support hinges secured to saidpanel adjacent said opening, each of hinge elements. The hinge elements18 and I9 are shaped substantially as illustrated in FIG. 7 and eachincludes a body portion having a recess and an integral finger portion18a and 19a having a recess in the lower face thereof. The body portionhas an edge 42 affording an abutment for the machine head, asillustrated in FIG. 7.

The hinge elements are arranged for limited swinging movement abouttheir respective axis.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the channel portion of thehinge is rearwardly offset from the portion and that the pins arecorrespondingly offset. Thus, the hinge element 18 projects laterallybeyond the corresponding hinge element 19.

FIG. 1 shows the selective use of hinge elements 19 and 23 to support alarge baseplate containing sewing machine head. Hinge elements 18 and 22are disengaged and not in use as shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, a smaller baseplate containing sewing machine head is mountedwithin the cabinet by the selective use of hinge elements 18 and 22 sothat hinge elements 19 and 23 (shown in FIG. I) are in the disengagedposition and out of use. Spacer means 9 close up the cabinet cutout oropening so that a larger work surface is now provided. Spacer means 9may be dish shaped to hold pins and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the letters A, B, C, D, E, and Frepresent actual measured intervals we have used in a sewing machinecabinet utilizing the compound hinge of our invention.

We have found that best results have been obtained utilizing ourinvention wherein the distance A is 3% inches, the distance B is 2%inches, the space between hinge elements 18 and 19, represented by theletter C is 1 inch, the distance E being approximately 12 3 H32 inches,the distance F being 12 7/32 inches and the space between hinge elements22 and 23, represented by the letter D, being three-fourth inches.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it is apparent that the compound hingesl4 and 15 are secured to the cabinet via, for example, screws 24 thatare driven through holes 24A of both hinges.

As set forth hereinabove, FIG. 5 shows the compound hinge of ourinvention with the hinge elements 16 and I7 having fingerlike means I8and I9 axially offset from each other so that means 18 extendsapproximately one-fourth inch beyond means 19.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the compound hinge of our inventionwherein hinge elements 26 and 27 have fingerlike means 28 and 29 axiallyaligned with each other. Holes 25A through compound hinge 25 areutilized in conjunction with fastening means such as screws or bolts foraffixing the hinge to the sewing machine cabinet adjacent the opening.

FIG. 7 shows the sewing machine head 13 secured to the hinge member 18and fingerlike means 180 via securing means 30, here, a set screw. Theset screw prevents movement of sewing machine 13 on fingerlike member18a during the pivoting movement of the member as the sewing machinehead is raised to its operative position, as shown, above cabinetwherein the machine rests on machine rest 31, or lowered to its idleposition, shown in dotted lines, within the opening. Releasable lockingmeans 140 permit locking of hinge element 18, for example, in anoperative position and are made an integral part of the compound hingemechanism. Hinge element 18 may also be locked in a maintenance oroiling position above the operative position by moving sewing machinehead 13 and hinge element I8 above the operative mode locked position sothat pivotal member 18 fimily rests on said releasable locking means14a.

larger size base is laced in the opening, one of the hinge pins 18a or19a may e readily engaged with the basep ate in conjunction with atleast another compound hinge as was previously shown.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In a particularly preferred embodiment of ourinvention, this invention provides, in combination, a sewing machinehead, a cabinet having a top panel having an opening to receive saidhead, a pair of spaced compound hinges secured to said panel adjacentopening, each of said hinges including two spaced pivotally supportedhinge elements, said elements including fingerlike means at one end forselective securement to said machine head which includes sockets toreceive certain of said fingerlike means, the spacing of said hingeelements being such that selected two of said elements will engage andsupport one size of head and selected other two of said elements willengage and support another size of head whereby a single cabinet willaccommodateone of a plurality of a different sized sewing machine heads.

It is apparent that the present invention provides a compound hinge forallowing a consumer to interchangeably accommodate different size sewingmachine heads in a single cabinet.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may-suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to belimited to the specific embodiment shown and described or usesmentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of myinvention being limited only by the appended claims.

We claim:

I. In combination, a sewing machine head, a cabinet having a top panelhaving an opening to receive said head, a pair of spaced compound hingessecured to said panel adjacent said opening, each of said hingesincluding two spaced pivotally supported hinge elements, said elementsbeing adapted for selective securement to said head, the spacing of saidhinge elements being such that selected two of said elements will engageand support one size of head and selected other two of said elementswill engage and support another size of head whereby a single cabinetwill accommodate one of a plurality of different sized sewing machineheads.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said hingesincludes two spaced inverted channel portions, each receiving a hingeelement.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said hingeelements includes fingerlike means at one end and wherein said machinehead includes sockets to receive certain of said fingerlike means.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said machine headincludes means for securing said fingerlike means in said machine headsockets.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said fingerlike means areaxially offset from each other.

6. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said fingerlike means areaxially aligned with each other.

1. In combination, a sewing machine head, a cabinet having a top panelhaving an opening to receive said head, a pair of spaced compound hingessecured to said panel adjacent said opening, each of said hingesincluding two spaced pivotally supported hinge elements, said elementsbeing adapted for selective securement to said head, the spacing of saidhinge elements being such that selected two of said elements will engageand support one size of head and selected other two of said elementswill engage and support another size of head whereby a single cabinetwill accommodate one of a plurality of different sized sewing machineheads.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of saidhinges includes two spaced inverted channel portions, each receiving ahinge element.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each ofsaid hinge elements includes fingerlike means at one end and whereinsaid machine head includes sockets to receive certain of said fingerlikemeans.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said machine headincludes means for securing said fingerlike means in said machine headsockets.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said fingerlikemeans are axially offset from each other.
 6. The invention as defined inclaim 3 wherein said fingerlike means are axially aligned with eachother.